San Clemente Schools Dominate at the NSSA National Championships

Surfers from across the nation in middle to college ranks competed in the premiere event for high school surfing, the NSSA Interscholastic National Championships. Over the course of three days, students hit the waves at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point to compete for the national title. 

San Clemente High School took the varsity and junior varsity high school titles, earning their 14th national title, and their 4th consecutive junior varsity national title. Dana Hills High School was closely behind, coming in at 4th place for the high school varsity team. 

“It came down to the last few heats of the event when Kai McPhillips and Ethan Mudge were able to bring home the title,” said San Clemente High School head coach John Dowell. McPhillips won the varsity mens division, earning him his 6th interscholastic title, and Mudge finished in third.

Teammates celebrate Kai McPhillips of San Clemente High School for his varsity mens division win.

San Clemente High School junior varsity pulled off a title sweep with Luke Blackwill in JV Mens, Julia Guild in JV Womens and Griffin Glenn in JV Longboard. 

“Bringing the title back to San Clemente after a tough loss last year means a lot. The kids work hard all year and to see their hard work pay off is awesome,” said Dowell. 

Shorecliffs Middle School claimed their 16th national middle school title, and pulled off a title sweep in the individuals with Brayden Burch in MS Boys, Sawyer Lindblad in MS Girls and Banning Wetzel in MS Longboard! Bernice Ayer Middle School was closely behind, coming in at 4th place for the middle school team. 

San Clemente High School Varsity Team Starters.

The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide a fun surfing experience for all of its members. The NSSA also promotes qualities of discipline and competitive excellence, and is one of the few national youth sports organizations that require its participants to maintain academic standards in order to compete. 

Ater the National Interscholastic Championships, the NSSA Explorer and Open National Championships will take place in Huntington Beach from June 26 through July 3. 

Visit the NSSA website for the complete Championship results here

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